Colombians are divided on a potential peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), an Ipsos survey showed on Sunday, amid skepticism about political participation by the guerrillas.

The government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC rebels have been in peace talks for nearly four years, and ten days ago signed a historic ceasefire deal considered the penultimate step to a final accord. Santos has promised that any deal would have to be approved by Colombians in a referendum.

A poll by Ipsos showed that 36 per cent of Colombians would vote in favour of a deal while 25 per cent would vote against and 36 per cent would abstain. Three per cent were undecided.

Fifty six per cent had a favourable view of the bilateral ceasefire agreement but 52 per cent said they were pessimistic that a final deal would be reached, the poll showed.

Seventy one per cent said they were opposed to FARC leaders running for office. Under a partial deal at the talks FARC leaders convicted of crimes against humanity will have to serve alternative punishments including clearing land mines in order to be eligible for political participation.

One thousand people were interviewed for the survey, which had a 3.1 per cent margin of error.